“The president said he had spoken by telephone with Joseph Kony who wants to lay down his arms,” Mackouzangba told The Associated Press. “The negotiations are ongoing.”

The U.S. military’s Africa Command says the LRA has “murdered, raped and kidnapped tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children” and that more than 380,000 people across three African countries have been displaced while fleeing the violence. The State Department is offering a $5 million reward — up to $15 million total — for help in the arrest of Kony and two of his lieutenants.

Kony and two top commanders are wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.